Update: Deepwater Horizon has sunk offshore Louisiana. Article from
CNN. See also:
VideoVery unfortunate that these accidents occur. After having helped design and build (in my small way) these offshore platforms over the last 18 years, I can tell you safety is a major priority in the design of all systems. Also, because of the proper implementation of huge fines for even spilling a gallon of oil, zero discharge environmental design is now the norm.
However, accidents will happen. From this rig's location so close to shore, I'm willing to guess that they were finishing up a natural gas well
(Update: I was wrong about this. Coast Guard states that the well had been producing 8000 Bbls of crude per day at the time of the accident) and they were setting the concrete casing in the hole for the next phase - transport of gas to a production platform or to an onshore natural gas plant. The pressures 10,000+ feet down are huge and at this stage the rig is transitioning the well from drilling to production. The rig uses 15000psi high pressure mud to "cap" the upward gas pressure while at the same time operating drill string and tools down the hole. Pressures from below fluctuate greatly and unfortunately it looks like a spike in pressure broke through, causing a blowout.
I know that CNN is prompting statistics comparing this industry to mining, but the safety standards on offshore drilling are very strenuously applied and while I have no experience in mining safety standards, I'm willing to think offshore drilling has much more oversight.
Condolences to the families of those workers missing and injured
Topic: Deep water Horizon on fire after explosion (Read 1916 times)